Featured
Why Dapo Abiodun, Osoba Were Absent as Buhari Commissions Amosun’s Projects
President Muhammadu Buhari in Abeokuta, on Saturday, inaugurated the projects done by Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun.
However, the state governor-elect, Mr Dapo Abiodun; a former governor of the state, Chief Segun Osoba; and some other prominent leaders of the state All Progressives Congress were absent from the event.
The projects are the Ogun State Television ultramodern studio, Adire Mall, Judiciary Complex, a 10,000-seater amphitheatre at the Abeokuta City Centre and, a 250-bed multi-specialty tertiary Hospital at Oke-Mosan.
Buhari, who arrived in Abeokuta in a presidential chopper NAF 540, was received by Amosun, governors Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) and Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo) at the Arcade Ground, State Secretariat, Oke-Mosan.
Reacting to the absence of the APC leaders, spokesman for the party’s caretaker committee in the state, Tunde Oladunjoye, said Abiodun, Osoba and other party leaders were not invited to the programme.
He said, “The leaders were not invited either via text messages, phone calls or any other means of communication.
“Perhaps, the governor did that because, technically, he is not a member of the APC; he is on suspension. The President came as the President of Nigeria relating with a state governor. And you can’t see a notable APC leader either from within or outside the state at the event.”
Abiodun’s media aide, Remmy Hassan, also said the governor-elect was not invited to the event.
He said, “Abiodun was apparently not invited to the event.”
Buhari, after inaugurating some of the projects, said Amosun was “a very clever person”, who had demonstrated foresightedness by embarking on projects that would outlive his administration.
Buhari described the projects otherwise called legacy projects as “first-class”.
He said, “I think he has prepared for this governorship seat. He prepared himself for it. He has put infrastructure that will last.
“I congratulate you for having the foresight and saving enough resources to make sure that your footprint remains permanent, very clever person. Thank you very much.
“The infrastructure you took me through, the flyovers, hospital and this complex (Judiciary Complex), are first-class. I think you have done well for yourself and Ogun State.”
He expressed optimism that he would get the outgoing governor’s support at the Senate.
The President said, “The Senate, being the highest decision-making body of the country, is patriotic and pragmatic. In the sense, for example, Bayelsa has eight local governments; Kano has 44 local governments and you try to check the population, and yet, in the Senate, they are equal. I think this is impartial, very, very much impartial.
”I think he (Amosun) can continue to serve not only Ogun State, but the whole country.
“I am very pleased that I have been in his good books at least publicly; so, in the Senate where he is going to sit for four years, and I am going to remain, God willing for four years as the President, I will automatically assume that he will support me.”
Among other personalities at the inauguration were the Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole; Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo; and a former APC National Legal Adviser, Muiz Banire.
Amosun said the Judiciary Complex would serve as the headquarters of the state High Court.
Amosun said, “Even as we prepare to bow out of office, our desire to continue to contribute our quota to the socio-economic development of our dear state remains undiluted.”
The Punch
Fast-growing Lagos-based Entertainment and hospitality hub, Avalanche has announced the birth of its educational arm, The Avalanche Creative Academy.
The academy is designed as a top-notch platform dedicated to nurturing creativity and innovation among aspiring creatives.
The Academy aims to provide comprehensive training through various programs, workshops, and mentorship opportunities, all designed to inspire and equip students with the skills they need to thrive in the creative industry.
It offers the following courses: Music Production, Sound Engineering, Photography, cinematography, 3D,graphic designs, motion graphics, Business Management, Creative copywriting, and Creative Strategies.
The Academy’s first set of intakes is scheduled to resume on the 17th of February 2025, while application opens from 13th of January 2025, on a 12-week basic course.
“Together, we can create invaluable experiences for our students and contribute to the creative community.
Follow the link below to register
The Christmas/End of Year party of the Igbobi College Old Boys Association (ICOBA) was filled with excitement, pomp and pageantry as the 84-86 set celebrated its 40th anniversary of leaving the school.
The highlight of the event was the donation of N20 million from the set’s endowment to serve as a seed fund for the national body’s endowment through the National ICOBA. The donation was received by Mr Femi Banwo, President ICOBA International and Mr Kunle Elebute, Chairman ICOBA National Endowment Committee
The 84-86 set’s Board of Trustees Endowment Committee had established an independent endowment in 2009 with a vision to create a lasting legacy for the set. Speaking at the occasion, the Chairman of the ICOBA 84-86 Board of Trustees and Endowment Committee, Dr. Falil Ayo Abina, expressed his delight, stating that it was a dream come true.
Dr. Abina explained that one of the core lessons learned at Igbobi College was “self-denial.”
He reminisced about the Self-Denial Fund (SDF), where students were taught to contribute their weekly “widow’s mite” to share with the less privileged in society. Dr. Abina emphasized that when the endowment committee conceived the idea of the endowment 15 years ago, they had this legacy in mind, aiming to serve a purpose greater than self.
The donation of N20 million to the national endowment is expected to inspire others within the alumni and other school alumni associations to follow suit.
This generous donation is the first in ICOBA’s history and arguably in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa.
The 13-member endowment committee, also include Demola Ipaye, Fola Laguda, Gbenga Aina, Demola Oladeinde, Jimi Onanuga, Abayomi Alabi, Kwami Adadevoh, Bayo Ayoade, Tunde Sadare, Wole Ogunbajo, Tunji Akinwummi, and Lanre Olusola, worked tirelessly to make this vision a reality and it was indeed mission accomplished for the ‘Nobles Nigerians ‘ as Igbobians are called.
The recent US presidential election should be praised for its credibility and peaceful conduct. The election serves as a model for Nigeria, highlighting the importance of free, fair and transparent polls, according to the publisher of online platform, Bluefames Media, Mr. Victor Udoh
The US election saw Donald Trump, the Republican candidate, emerge victorious over Democrat, vice president Kamala Harris. Trump secured 270 electoral votes, surpassing Harris’s votes.
While congratulating Trump on his victory, Udoh noted that the election’s smooth process, devoid of issues like ballot box snatching, violence and technical glitches.
In contrast, Nigeria’s electoral process often faces challenges, including delays, vote-buying and disputes over results, he lamented. Udoh emphasized the need for Nigeria to learn from the US example, ensuring credible elections that reflect the will of the people.
He said: “Nigerians and the international community monitored the outcomes of the US election. You could see that the US electoral process demonstrates the value of credible and peaceful elections, which experience Nigeria can draw lessons from to improve its own electoral system.
“By embracing transparency, accountability and peaceful conduct, Nigeria can strengthen its democracy and ensure governance that truly represents the people’s will.”
Udoh, a publicist and motivator, pointed out that learning from the US experience, Nigeria can address its electoral weaknesses and foster a more robust democracy, which in turn, can lead to better governance, economic growth and improved living standards for Nigerians.
“Nigeria must prioritize electoral reform and transparency to ensure that its citizens’ voices are heard and valued,” he stressed.
He, however, warned that “a second Trump term may have significant implications for global issues like dollar value, immigration, energy and geopolitical stability.”
Victor Udoh is the publisher of online platform, Bluefames Media
